WHAT IS THE AUSTRALIAN SYNCHROTRON?

In practical terms, the Australian Synchrotron is a source of powerful x-rays and infrared radiation that can be used for a wide range of scientific and technical purposes. Synchrotron x-rays are millions of times brighter than those produced by conventional x-ray machines in laboratories and hospitals.

The synchrotron’s customised experimental facilities in the Melbourne suburb of Clayton provide an impressive array of non-destructive, high-resolution, rapid, in-situ, real-time imaging and analysis techniques. These generate elemental, structural and chemical information from diverse sample types ranging from living cells to advanced materials, industrial components and mineral processes.

The unique properties of synchrotron light mean that experimental results are far superior in accuracy, clarity, specificity and timeliness to those obtained using conventional laboratory equipment.

WHAT WE OFFER

We offer access to an extensive range of facilities and techniques, many of which are not available elsewhere in Australia. We also offer our services in customised experimental design, data analysis and report writing. Some of our facilities are available by remote access.

INDUSTRY SECTORS THAT CAN USE SYNCHROTRONS

Synchrotron techniques are useful in many different industry sectors, including but not limited to the following.

• Advanced materials: ceramics, polymers, biomaterials, semiconductors, magnetic, superconducting and battery materials, opto-electronics
• Agriculture: plant cells, plant tissues, plant cell and root uptakes, soil analysis
• Biomedical: new diagnostic, imaging and therapeutic techniques
• Defence industries: new materials, sensors, heavy metal analysis
• Environmental technologies and services: analysis of soils, fresh and salt water, air and atmospheric samples, pollutants, toxins and contaminants, environmental remediation
• Food technology: analysis of food ingredients and packaging materials, product and process development
• Forensics: broad range of analytical capabilities, development of new techniques
• Manufacturing: metal alloys, catalysts, engineered components, stress analysis, fibres and textiles, adhesives, polymers and plastics, surfaces, interfaces and coatings
• Medical: new diagnostic, imaging and therapeutic techniques, high-throughput structural biology
• Minerals: mineral exploration, mineral processing
• Nanotechnology and microtechnology: advanced nano- and micro-device manufacturing, micro-circuits, sensors
• Oil and gas: exploration, pipeline reactions, fuel processing, fuel cells
• Pharmaceuticals: analysis of proteins, nucleic acids and viruses, cell imaging, quality control monitoring, bio-mimetic materials (artificial skin or organs), identification of drug targets, assessment of drug candidates
• Scientific instruments: detector technologies, measurement techniques, medical implants, delivery systems.

ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS

Fee-paying clients can access the Australian Synchrotron’s facilities and services on a confidential basis. Commercial rates are available on application.

Alternatively, if you are able to publish your results in the open literature, you or your research partners can apply for merit-based access through our standard peer-reviewed application process.

Some businesses may be eligible for support through the Victorian Government's Small Technology Industries Uptake Program.

MORE INFORMATION

To find out more about our capabilities or to discuss your specific requirements, please contact:
Ms Kerry Hayes
Business Development Manager
Phone: +61 3 8540 4232
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Australian Synchrotron
800 Blackburn Rd, Clayton VIC 3168